Machine for testing metallic cartridge belt links



Jme 16,1942; 2 A, LAY R' M HAL 2,286,286

MACHINE FOR TESTING METALLIc'CA-RTREGE BELT LINKS Filed April 14, 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 I J I G I -L J e 1942- H.- A. LAYsTRoM ETAL 2,235,235 MACHINE FOR TESTING METALLIC CARTRIDGE BELT LINKS Filegi April 14, 194i 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Eg- Z I L -r .1

f/lLD/A/G A. [Am TQOM June 1 H.- A: LAYSTROM ET-AL 2,235,286 MACHINE FOR TESTING METALLICTCARTRIDGE BELT LINKS Filed April '14, 1941 7 Sheets-Sheets 0//vo 14. bars re M P59. 0. aesso/v m 1942- H. A; LAYSTROM ETAL' 2,286,286

mourn-n FOR TESTING METALLIC pmwmmm BELT LINKS Filed A rii 14, 1941- 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 'JWVEUYURE Haw/vs A. [A rsmon P52 0. AEssoN- I 'H.A.- LAYSTROM'ETAL 2,286,286

June 16; 1942.

MACHINE FOR TESTING METALLIC CARTRIDGE BELT LINKS Filed April 14, 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 HAD/N6 1?. Zara 7796M Patented June- 16, 1942 MACHINE FOR TESTING METALLIC 'cnn'mmcn BELT LINKS Hilding A. Laystr'om and Per assignors to Quality Hardware and cago, 111.,

0. Persson, Chi- Machine Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application April 14, 1941, Serial No. 388,504

for testing the links of metallic cartridge belts for rapid-firing.

,guns

This invention relates to means Metallic cartridge from steel by through suitable diemechanism, as for example in the manner disclosed in Laystrom Patent No.

links are usually formed 2,232,071, dated February 18, 1941. After forming of the links by the die mechanism, the links are usually subjected to a heating and tempering treatment so that they will have the required strength and elasticity. 'When the links and cartridges are assembled to forma belt, the spacing between cartridges should be within certain tolerances, so that the cartridges will properly align with the gun barrel when the belt is fed through the gun. Sometimes links may have soft spots in the metal or may not have been properly tempered, or they may have become slightly distorted from handling or shipping. If such faulty links are assembled in a belt, and the belt is subjected to any strain, the faulty links may become distorted or stretched beyond their elastic limit so that they may interfere with proper cartridge alignment and'gun firing. It therefore becomes desirable to subject the links to accurate testing before assembly thereof into belts.

The important object produce a simple testing structure or machine to which the links are fed and subjected to proper tests for determining their fitness, with provision for ejecting from the feed line any links which fail to pass the test.

More in detail, the object of our invention is to produce a simple, efiicient testing machine into of our invention is passage of a steel bank or strip cross section,

ing the sides of a vertical shaped links may machine a gauge Figure 6 is a section on plane VIVI of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is an enlarged section on plane VII VII of Figure 1;

Figure 8 is an enlarged section on plane VIII VIII of Figure 1; Y

' Figure 9 is a front elevation of the lower part of the machine, showing more'particularly the operation of the ejection means after the elastic recovery test of a link; a

Figure 10 is an enlarged section on plane XX of- Figure 9;

. Figure 11 is a section on plane XI-XI of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a section on plane XII-X[I of Fi ure 11;'

'--Figure 13 is a section on plane XIII-XIII of Figure 11; H

Figure 14 is a front elevation of the upper end of the machine showing a modified feeding arrangement;

Figure 15 is a Figure 14;

Figure 16 is an enlarged section on plane XVI-XVI of Figure 15; and,

Figure 17 is a section on plane XVIIXVII of Figure 16.

The machine shown comprises suitable sup porting framework F having at one side the vertically extending parallel walls l0 and H formplan view of the parts shown in normally closed by a removable cover l3. The particular links for which the machine has been designed are best shown on Figures, 4 and 5. Each link comprises axially aligned spaced apart circular loops l4 and I5 for receiving, respectively, the body and contracted end of a cartridge shell. A circular hinge sleeve I 6 on each link extends in the opposite direction to the loops It and i5 and in alignment with the space between the loops, so that the hinge sleeve of one link may to receive the body of the cartridge shell, the cartridges thus forming the hinge pins for the belt built up by an assembly of links and cartridges. The passageway I2 is of rectangular with dimensions so that the links may be fed therethrough and guided by the passagewalls and the cover 13, as shown. on Figs. 1, 4 and 5. When the links have been properly tempered they should be of the proper shape and dimension, and to insure that only correctly enter the passageway l2 of the device G, Figures 1 and 7, is

provided at the entrance of the passageway l2,

test passageway l2,-

engage between the loops of the next link through which the links must readily pass before entering the passageway. The gauge G is so designed that correct links will readily pass therethrough. The link loops l4 and 15 pass through a gauge plate l5, and a recess l9 opposite the tongue l8 receives the hinge sleeve l5, so that if the link hasbeen unduly, distorted it will not pass through the gauge, and can then be thrown aside. The links are passed down a feed chute 25 in adavnce ofthe gauge, as clearly shown on Figure l. If a link fails to pass readily through the gauge the operator will throw it aside.

The links enter the test passageway |2 with hinge sleeves in advance, for passage of the links through the various testing fields of the machine.- Suitable escapement mechanism controls the progress of the links-into the testing fields. Referring to Figures 1 and 4, the escapement mechanism comprises upper and lower rods 2| and 22 reciprocable horizontally in a boss 23 formed on the wall The upper rod has the escapement pin 24 extending axially from its 1 inner end and the lower rod 22 has the escapementi pin 25 extending from its inner end, the pins projecting into the passageway l2 for engagement with the hinge sleeves IQ of the links.

A spring 25 tends to hold the rod 2| in its outer or released position and a similar spring 21 tends to hold the rod 22 in its outer or released position.

The rods 2|, 22 are engageable at their outer ends by cams 25 and 25 mounted on a vertical shaft 35. As shown on Figures 1 and 3, the contour of the cams is such that the rods 2| and 22 will be alternately shifted to carry their pins 24 and 25 into the passageway l2. The pin 25 holds the lowermost link in position for cooperation therewith of the stretch testing mechanism, which will be fully described hereinafter. As will be described more indetail later, when the link has received the stretch testing mech-- 'anism, the lower rod 22 will have been withdrawn to remove the pin 25 from below the'lower link and the upper rod 2| will have been shifted by its cam to carry its pin 24 below the hinge sleeve of the next link so as to support the row of links in the-passageway I2 above the lower link while this lower link is being given a stretch test. This position of the pin 24 is maintained by its cam until the stretch test mechanism has been withdrawn from the lower link and this link has dropped down in the passageway l2, and then the pin 24 will be withdrawn while the pin 25 31 being of reduced diameter to flt into the loop l5, while-the arbor body is of a diameterto fit the loop M of the link. A spring 43 within the bore 39 tendsto shift the arbor 31 outwardly.

Referring to Figures 2, 5 and 6, the frame extension 40 has a depending wall 44 in which is a vertically extending dovetail guide channel 45 receiving the dovetail guide wing 45 on the frame 41, so that the frame 41 may shift vertically relative to the frame part 40 which supports the arbor 31. The frame 41 has the bore 45 for the arbor and in the wall 4| of the test channel I2 is the passageway 49 through which the end of the arbor 35 may pass for projection through the hinge sleeve l5 of the link to be tested, the passageway 49 being elongated downwardly to permit downward vertical shift of the frame 41.

At their outer ends the arbors 31 and 35 are connected to a head 59 secured by a pin 5| to the upper end of a lever 52 which is fulcrummed by a pin 53 on a bracket 54 extending from the frame F, the lever at its lower end joumaling a cam roller 55 engaged by the cam 55 mounted on the drive shaft 3|. When this cam rotates from its normal position shown on Figure 2, the lever 52 will be swung to move its head 55 for shifting of the arbors 31 and 33 into the test passageway l2 for reception of the link to be tested. As best shown on Figure 5, vthe-arbor 31 has the slot 51 receiving a wing 55 on the head 55, a pin 55 secured to the wing extending through the areuate slot 55 in the arbor. The lower arbor 33 is slotted to receive the wing 5| on the head", the pin 52 on the wing extending through the arcuate slot 53 in the arbor, With this connecting means. the arbors will beshifted easily into engagement with the link to be tested, without subjecting the arbors to,- any lateral strain. As the cam recedes, the spring 43 will serve to shift the arbors back to their normal position, with their ends out of the passageway l2.

After the test arbors 31 and .35 have been shifted into engagement with the link to be tested, pressure means are applied to the frame 41. tending to shift the frame downwardly away from the rigid frame part 45, such movement of the frame 41 being resisted by the link engaged by the arbors. Any suitable pressure producing means may be employed. As shown, the pressure .is exerted by a weight W, adjustable on the outer is reprojected into the passageway I2 to receive the hinge sleeve of. the next link and hold it in' position for a stretch test.

A drive shaft 3| is driven from a suitable source (not shown) and extends horizontally into the machine. A bevel gear 32 on the innerend of the shaft meshes a bevel gear 33 on the vertical. shaft 34 which, at its upper end, carries a gear 35 meshing with the gear 35 on the shaft 3|! on which the cams 28, 29 fbr the escapement mechanism are mounted. Thedirection of rotation of the gears and shafts is indicated byarrows.

The strength or stretch testing mechanism is best shown on Figures 2, 3, 5 and 6. This mechanism comprises upper and lower arbors 31 and- 38. The upper arbor 31 i axially movable in thebore 39 in the extension 45 on the rear wall 4| of the passageway l2, this wall having the passageway 42 in alignment with the bore 39 and the loops l4 and I5 of the lowermost link to be tested. The weight lever is normally held in its upper position by the. foot end 55 of a lever end of a lever 54 fulcrummed at its inner end in a bracket 55 extending from the frame wall .4| above the frame extension 45. The lever 54,

near its fulcrum point, is connected by a pin 56 with the bracket extending upwardly from the frame 41. The weight lever is normally held in its upper position for engagement of the frame 41 against the rigid frame .part 45, in which position the arbors 31 and 35 are in proper relative position for entrance of their ends into the link 59 fulcrummed in a bracket 15 on the frame F, the lever at its lower end engaging a cam 1| mounted on the drive shaft 3| adjacent to the cam 55. As shown on Figure 2, the contours of these two cams are such that the lever 69 will be held in its normalposition until the cam 55 has swung the lever 52 for shift of the test arbors into engagement with the link to be tested. Then the cam 1| will function to release the lever 59 to withdraw its foot 53 from below the weight lever 54 so that the lever 54 may be swung down in the test passageway, the end 31' of the arbor ."l by its weight to pply wn Pr e ns the frame i and 9| which also serve, at their vindicated by the arrow the frame 41 m which the arbor as is carried;

This pressure on the arbor 38 is communicated The weight W is adjusted so that, if the'link being tested is of proper strength, it will resist stretching thereof beyond a predetermined tolerance, and the link will be acceptable. After the test, the weight pressure is removed from 41 and the test arbors are withdrawn and the escapement mechanism is operated to withdraw the holding pin. 25 from below the tested link, which link may then continue its travel through the test passageway I2 for further testiifg.

If the link does not satisfy the stretch test, provision is made for discharging the link from the test passageway Such discharge controlling mechanism is best shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4.

Below thepath of theescapement pin 25, the

wall I of the testing channel l2 opening 12 normally closed by a at its lower end on the pin 14.

has the ejection gate 13 hinged The gate is norshould return to its sition, the end of, the latch pin 15 being beveled and the edge of the gate being also beveled so that the latch pin will be shifted out by the closing gate and will then be reset into the recess 18 by the spring 11.

The elasticity characteristic of the metal of the links, after tempering thereof, should be such that after a stretch test of a link by the'arbors 31 and 38, the link,- on release from the arbors,

tolerances. A link when subjected to the stretch test may possess-sufficient molecular strength to prevent a stretch which would causeit to be mally held closed by a latch pin 15 extending I through the back wall M of the test passageway for engagement in a keeper recess 16 in the adjacent edge of the gate (Figure 8). A spring 11 tends to hold the latch pin in-its latching position, as shown best on Figure 2. The latch pin is secured to the end of the core 18 of a solenoid 19 which, when energized, will draw the pin out of its latching position to permit opening of the gate. receives current supply from a supply line 8| and controls the solenoid circuit 82. The actuating element for the switch comprises a button 83 and is located a predetermined distance below the movable arbor frame 41. If a link, while being tested under the force of the ,weight W, does not stretch beyond a predetermined tolerance, then the frame 41 will not be shifted downwardly far enough to engage the switch button 83. However, if the link is faulty in strength and gives way to the weight pressure, and the'frame 41 moves downwardly sufliciently to press the switch button 83, then the solenoid circuit will be closed and the latch pin will be withdrawn from the ejector gate 13. A spring 84' tends at all times to swing the ejector gate open, and when the' gate is unlatched by operation of the solenoid this spring will swing the gate inward- I 1y into an inclined position against the wall II of the test passageway I2, the end of the gate being beveled so as to intimately engage the W311, and the defective link, after capement pin 25, will fall down against the inwith a bevel gear 89 on the shaft 34 which is driven by the drive shaft 3|. As best shown on Figure 1, this shaft 34 is journaled in arms 30 outer ends, to journal the shaft 30 which operates the escapement cams 28 and 28. shownon Figure 3, thespring 84' may be connected between the outer end of the shaft 81 and the outer end of the stud 86. The cam rotates in "the direction on Figure 1 and at the proper time engages with and travels past the release from the es- A suitable quick-acting switch 80 these two cams is such that the arbors low the link to'be ejected by the machine and yet its elastic recovery would not be suflicient to return it to its proper length within the prescribed tolerances. Each link, therefore, after passing the stretch test, is subjected to an elastic recovery test. Such test is accomplished by the mechanism best shown on Figures land 2 and 9, to 13. Just below the ejector gate 13, the back wall 4| for the test passageway I2'has the extension 92 which. has the bore 93 for an arbor 94, the arbor being projectible into the test passageway through the loops I4 ed. At its outer end the arbor 04 is connected to a bell crank lever 95 fulcrummed on the bracket 96 with its/lower arm carrying a cam roller 91 engagedby the cam 98,, this cam being mounted on the drive shaft 3| adjacent'to the cam 56 which controls the reciprocation of the stretch testing arbors 31 and 38. The timing of andthe arbor 94 will be shifted'substantially simultaneously into the test passagewa Below the path of the arbor v94, holding and measuring means are provided for the link to be tested for elastic comeback. The wall II of' the test passageway l2 has the lateral extension 09having the bore I00 for a rod IOI which carries at its inner end a pin I02 projectible into the test passageway below a link to hold the link in position ready for its elastic come-back test. Adjacent to the bore I00, the extension 09 has the bore I03 within which is a bushing I04 for a rod I05 which, at its innerend, carries a pin I08 for projecting into the "testing passageway betested. At their outer ends the rods I 0| and I05 terminate respectively in abutment feet I01 and I08 forengagementby cams I03 and H0, respectively. These cams are of the shaft 30, the shaft at its lower end being joumaled in the supporting arm'lll. Springs 2 and H3 keep the abutment feet in engagement with their respective cams, and the contours of the cams are such that the rods will be alternately shifted to project their pins into the testpassageway.

The pin I08 extends from the end of a lever 4 located within the channel H5 extending longitudinally in the rod I 05, the lever adjacent its outerend being fulcrumed on a pin msfor vertical swing, a spring I I1 tending to hold the'lever in horizontal position." On the extension 39 is mounted a switch Ill having an actuating pin I I9 opposite the inner end of the lever 4, so that if this lever is rocked sufficiently on its pivot its inner end will thepin 0 for closure of the switch. As will be described more in detail later, this switch controls the circuit for a solenoid which in turn controls an ejector gate for links which do not pass the elastic come-back test.

. When a link has passed the stretch test it will cam roller to swing the gate to its closed potrue form within allowed and I5 of a link to be test- 31 and 38 engage with and shiftcontinue down the test passageway to be receivedand held by the pin I02 on the rod IOI, the rod I05 being at that tim in its outer position with its pin I withdrawn from the test passageway. The link being held by the pin I02 is in position to receive inits loops I4 and IS the end of the arbor 04, which is projected as soon as the link has reached the holding pin I02. The timing of the arbor cam 00 and of the cam I00 for the rod IOI is such that a the arbor enters the link loops the rod I 0| will be withdrawn from below the link, so that the link will then be suspended within the test passageway by the arbor. As the rod III is being withdrawn, the rod I05 is shifted inwardly by its cam -IIO to project the pin I06 below the link, as shown on Figure 11. If, after the stretch test on the link, the link has been returnedto its acceptable form by its elastic characteristics, then, when the pin I00 engages the lower end of the link while the link is suspended from the arbor 04, the pin supporting lever I I4 will not be rocked on its fulcrum, or will not be rocked a sufficient distance for engagement with. the switch button III for closure of the switch I\ I0. Then. as the arbor is withdrawn from the link, the link will continue down through the test passageway. However, if the link has not recovered sufliciently from its stretch test to be acceptable, the lever II4 will be rocked sufllciently to effect closure of the switch III, and then an ejector gate I20 is interposed in the path of the link for ejection therefrom from the test passageway. The ejector gate I20 is of substantially the same construction as the ejector gate 13, and is normally held closed by a latchpin I2I controlled by a solenoid I'22 whose circuit is controlled by the switch IIO, so that when the switch is closed the solenoid will be energized to withdraw the latch pin for opening of thegate I20. The spring I23 tends to swing the gate' I20 open for ejecfrom into engagement with the laterally extending arm I42 on the plate I30. This switch into the stretch testing field. when the link feed into the top of the test passage is interrupted for any reason and there is no link in the path of the plate I38, the switch blade will be spring I36 may effect is of true and free to swing the plate inwardly into the test:

passageway and engage with the switch contact I43. The electrical circuit I44 for thefsolenoid I32 will then be closed and the solenoid ener-f gized to shift its core for projection of the stop pin I34 below the last link to pass the plate I30. This link will be held in proper position fonf-engagement by the stretch test arbors 31 and 30 and the pin I34 will not interfere with the operation of the escapement pins 24 and 25, and so long as the supply feed to the test channel remains interrupted, the link stopped by the pin I34 will remain in position to repeatedly receive the arbors. However, as soon as the supply feed is continued, the links entering the test passageway will travel past and swing the plate I30 back to its normal position for removal of the switch blade I from the switch contact I43, and opening of the solenoid circuit so that the withdrawal of the stop pin I34, the control of the links :being then reassumed by the escapement pins 24 and 25.

Referring again to the gauging means G, if a proper. shape, its hinge sleeve between the rails I45 and I40 "from the base I4l of the IS will pass readily extending upwardly gauge to define the,test channel I9, and the tion of a rejected link, and a cam I24 is engageable with a roller I25 on the gate to return the gate to its closed position after an ejection operation. The cam is operable in synchronism with the cam 04 which controls the closure of the gate 13, a sprocket wheel I21 on the shaft 01 forthe cam 04 being connected by a chain belt I20 with a sprocket wheel I20 on the shaft I30- for the cam I24. I

It may happen that, while the machine is in operation, the feeding of links into the test passageway may be interrupted for some reason. When this occurs it is very important that, when feeding is again continued, the first link should be in proper test position for the stretch test arbors, as otherwise the link may be crushed and cause breakage of machine parts. To take care of this situation we have devised holdin means which, in case of stoppage of feedto the test passageway, will hold in testing position the last link tested by the stretch test arbors. This stop mechanism and its control is best shown on Figures 1, 2 and 4. Mountedon-a bracket I3I I extending from the side wall I0 of the test pasloops I4 and I5 of the links should pass readily through the test slots I40 and I40 in the gauge plate I0. If the free ends of the sleeve and loops are axially displaced and the side edges of the sleeve and loops are not in parallel planes at right angles with the axes of the sleeve and loops the link will not pass readily through the gauge and must be rejected. It is therefore important that as much as possible of the hinge sleeve be received in the test channel I0 and as much as possible of the loops be received in the test slots I48 and I40 for accurate testing of the link.

The links are fed down the inclined chute 20 and in order that the links may be properly gauged, they should be in the proper inclination for passage through the gauge G to bring the sleeve and loops of a link into proper testing position in the'channel I0 and the gauge plate slots. In theaarrangement shown on Figure 1,

where the feed chute 20 extends from the left to the testing passageway I2, the engagement of the ends of the wing or lip portions I00 and I5I of the link with the tops of the rails I45 and I40 is depended upon to give the link the proper inclination before travel through the gauge. After'passage of the links through the gauge the gauge rails will facilitate the entry of the links into the top of the hinge sleeves foremost. I

In the arrangement shown on Figures 14 to 1'1, the feed 'of the links to the test passageway is from the right. As a link traveling down the mclined supply chute 20 reaches the gauge structure, the hinge sleeve down into the testing channel I0 between the railsl45 and I40 while the. loop I4 of the link testing passageway with the I0 of the link will swing" "will engage with the top 7 shown on Figure 16. 'As the link continues along to extend hinge sleeve I6 for accurate gauging of the sleeve twist or axial displacement of the free and I6 of the sleeve relative to the for any continues down the passageway,

ing field, under control of the stop a the test pin I06, and the links-which pass this or the m1 us, as best the gauge','the loops I4 and I5 will passthrough the test slots hinge sleeve rails I45 and I48 and I49 respectively and the IS will continue between the test I46. These test rails are of a height along the opposite edges of the link diametrically opposite portion of the sleeve, and the height of the also hold the loops I4 and I 5 well within the testing slots I48 and ment'of the test plate I8 with the opposite edge of the loops for accurate gauging thereof for twist or other lateral displacement. If the sleeve and loops of a link have been distorted, the link will not travel freely through the gauge but will be stopped thereby and will then be, ejected "by the operator. Those links which pass the gauge test will continue and fall into the vertical testing passageway I2, a guide I52 assisting in guid ing the links properly into the passageway.

Briefly reviewing the operation, the links propelled by gravity down the chute are fed in a continuous line through the test passageway I2 after having passed the test by the gauge G.

'The escapement pins 24 and 25 will control the regular advance of the links, first into the stretch testing field for engagement by the arbors 31 and 38. If the link passes this stretch test it failing to pass this test is, ejected by the gate I3. The links then enter the elastic come-back testpin I02 and test will continue in the test passageway for delivery therefrom. Anylink which fails to pass I49 for engageforce whereby a and'means efiective upon .said, arbors beyond a predetermined distance of parallel test arbors,

prising means defining a test passageway, co trol -means for controlling the progressive movement of a line of links through said passageway, a'pair means for shifting said 7 arbors into said passageway for engagement thereof with successive links and with one of said arbors extending through the loops of a link and the other. arbor extending through the hinge sleeve'of the link, means foreifecting transverse separation-of said arbors under a predetermined link carried by subjected to astretching test, said passageway having an ejector outlet in one of its side walls, stretch of a link by under said force for diverting .the link through said ejector opening after release of the link from said arbors.

3. a machine for testingmetallic cartridge belt hnks each of which have at one end axially aligned but spaced apart cartridge receiving loopsand at the other end a hinge sleeve, comprising means defining a .test passageway, control means for controlling the progressive movement of a line of links through said passageway, a pair of parallel test arbors, means for shifting said arbors into said passageway for engagement sleeve of the link, means for but. any link the elastic come-back test will effect closure of the switch H8 and operation of the ejector gate I20 for ejection of the rejected terruption of the feeil supply to the test passage,- way, the plate I38 will function and the solenoid ;m will be operated for projection of the pin m .to hold the la sttli'nk in the stretclrtesting-"fiefd continued'and-the 1 until the supply feed has been plate I38 returned'to its normal position,

We have shown a practical and eflicient embodiment of our invention but we do not desire tobe limited to the exact construction and arrangement or operation shown and described, as changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

We claim as our invention: 1. A machine for testing metallic cartrldgebelt links each having at one end axially aligned link. Upon in- 1 into said passageway to cartridge, receiving loops and at the other enda hinge sleeve, comprising means defining a test passageway, means controlling the progressive movement of a line of links through. said passageway, a pair of arbors projectible into said passageway for engagement of one arbor in theloops of a link and engagement of the other arbor in the hinge sleeve of said link, means for effecting separation under predeterminedforce of said arbors whereby to subject the link. thereon to a stretch test, and ejector mechanisms!- fective upon a predetermined separation movement of said arbors for ejecting the link from said passageway after withdrawal of said arbors fromthelink.

thereof with successive links and with one of said arbors extending through the loops of a link and the other arbor extending through the hinge eifecting transverse separation of said arbors under a predetermined force whereby a link carried by the arbors is subjected to a stretching test, said passageway having an ejector outlet in one of its side walls, a closure for said ejector opening, means normal- 1y locking said closure to close said opening, mi-

,1 locking means rendered eflective upon abnormal stretch of a link by said arbors under saidpredetermined force for unlocking said closure, and means for moving the unlocked closure into said test passageway for intercepting the link after release thereof from said arbors and diverting it through said ejector opening to the exterior of said test passageway.

4. A testing machine for the purpose de-- scribed, comprising means defining a testing passage'way, means controlling the progression of a link through said passageway, a pair of supporting members movable into said passageway for engagement in the respective ends of the link, I

means for eflecting separation of said supporting members by a predetermined force whereby to subjectthe supported link to a tension tending to elongate the link, a holding member movable engage in the trailing end of the link after release of the link from said pair of supporting members, gauging means engageable with the-other end of the link on said ejector means to ej p ssageway if said 2. A machine for 'testing metallic cartridge belt links each of which have at one end axially aligned but spaced apart cartridge receiving loops and at the other end a hinge sleeve, comthe arbors is defining a test passageway for for subjecting each link in said passageway to longitudinal tension under a predetermined force .calculated to be less than that whichwould test, measuring means movable into said pas-' sageway for engagement with the other end of the link for determining the degree of elongation of said link under said tension, ejector means for said passageway, operating means for said ejecting means, and means controlled by said measuring means for eflecting operation of said operating means for operation of said ejecting means to eject the link from said passageway if said link has been lengthened beyond allowable tolerance by said tension means.

6. A machine for belt links of the class described comprising means defining a test passageway, means for feeding links into said passageway, means controlling the progression of the links through said passageway, testing means projectible into said passageway for successively receiving and subjecting the links to a strength and distortion test, and means effective upon interruption of said feeding means for holding in said passageway the last fed-in link until feeding of links is again resumed.

7. A machine for testing metallic cartridge belt links of the type described, comprising means the links, means stretch the link beyond the predetermined tolerance, means for ejecting from the passageway the links which have stretched beyond such tolerance, means for then testing for elastic comeback the links which have passed the tension test, and means for ejecting from the passageway those links which fail to pass the elastic v test.

8. A machine for testing metallic cartridge. belt links of the class described, comprising means defining a test passageway, means for feeding testing metallic cartridge links into said passageway, means controlling the progression of the links through said passageway, testing means projectible into said passageway ior successively receiving and subjecting the links to a strength and distortion test, and means effective upon interruption of said feeding means for stopping further progress through said passageway of any links therein when the feeding means is interrupted.

9. A machine for testing metallic cartridge belt a links of the class described,

comprising means defining a test passageway, means for feeding links into said passageway, means controlling the progression of the links through said passageway, testing means projectible into said passageway ior successively receiving and subjectingthe links to a strength and distortion test, and stop means automatically controlled upon interruption of said ieeding means to be projected into said passageway below the link being tested to prevent further progress of said link through said passageway.

10. A machine belt links 0! the class for testing metallic cartridge described, comprising means defining a test passageway, means for feeding links into said passageway, means controlling the progression of the links through sa d passageway. testing means projectible into said passageway 'ior successively receiving and subjecting the links to a strength anddistortion test, stop means automatically controlled upon interruption of said feeding means to be projected into said passageway below the link bein tested to prevent further progress of said link through said passageway, and means for automaticallycausing withdrawal of said stop means when said feed means resumes into said passageway.

HILDING A. LAYSTROM.

PER O. PERSSON.

feeding of links 

